Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on July 2013

Japan absorbed the art of calligraphy from China, and has been making its own for over a thousand years. Subtitled “The dialogue between calligraphy and painting­,” this follows a popular 2009 show in condensing the history into a digestible overview. Japanese calligraphers widened possibilities of expression with new approaches to brushstrokes ranging from bold and heavy to light and serene. In recent years, they have even explored how Western modern art can interact with the intrinsically abstract approach of calligraphy.

Idemitsu Museum of Arts, until Aug 18, ¥700-1,000. Open Tue-Thu 10am-5pm, Fri 10am-7pm, closed Mon. 9F Teigeki Bldg, 3-1-1 Marunouchi. Nearest stn: Tokyo. www.idemitsu.co.jp/museum